Nitrogen Squared 0.2.2 — Windows and Linux launchers

Extract the complete Nitrogen-Squared folder and run launcher.exe.
Select the supported USA CUE with its matching BIN beside it. Preparation verifies/imports/generates/compiles your private game; no separate Python or Visual Studio installation is required.

0.2.2: the private game build decodes the yellow N save icon from the player's verified disc and embeds it as the Windows EXE icon, with the same PNG used for the running game window/taskbar. Extracted images stay private under .local and are absent from these release packages. This resource/build change needs one build update; saves/settings are kept. SDL/framework revision queries use separate input, tracked cancellation and a 30-second deadline. Setup logs identify commands and exit codes, and dependency downloads report progress. Interrupted SDL/framework initialization now repairs a missing expected source remote before fetching; existing different remotes are preserved. Completed preparation data and compatible 0.2.0/0.2.1 game builds remain reusable. The Tauri launcher, settings and original N² artwork from 0.2.1 are retained. Game logic, native selection and clocks are unchanged; icon preparation changes compiled-game inputs.

Upgrading from 0.1.x: the old updater rejects the Tauri package's new support/launcher/licenses directory. Close the old launcher/game, download the complete platform ZIP and replace its release files manually while preserving the entire .local folder. Replacing only launcher.exe is insufficient. A first upgrade from 0.1.x prepares the private game once.

Development and player testing take place on dev. Only an explicitly owner-cleared candidate is promoted to main and published; dev builds are Actions artifacts, not GitHub releases. Source/runtime checks qualify the exact commit before packaging can be distributed.

Checksums: SHA256SUMS.txt covers both platform ZIPs. This release's launcher accepts combined and legacy checksums. Individual .sha256 sidecars stay through 0.1.x for older launchers; from 0.2.0 new releases contain only the two ZIPs and SHA256SUMS.txt. Older launchers that skip this bridge may need a manual launcher download, preserving .local. GitHub's automatic source archives replace the redundant uploaded source ZIP. Each release preserves its final source at release/x.y.z.

Linux x86_64 launcher: extract the Linux ZIP and run sh launcher.sh. Install the system Python, GTK/WebKitGTK, compiler and graphics/audio prerequisites listed in README-FIRST.txt once. The launcher selects your CUE/BIN, prepares your private game and handles updates. Windows continues to bundle portable Python and preparation tools; use separate folders for each platform.

Native coverage stays 38.4156% linked / 61.5844% outside. Focused n0202 checks cover the disc-derived game icon, clean/resumed first setup, cancellation and build reuse after the icon update. Unfinished checks carry forward. Earlier submitted results retain their versions. No new campaign, upload or valued-save overwrite is requested. Audio/game clocks are unchanged; intermittent level-entry stutter remains open.

Asset folders remains optional: original containers, raw movie streams and ten PCM WAV tracks are preserved under .local/game. Runtime still uses the original USA disc. Folder-backed loading, mod packs and EU language import remain future work.

Updates preserve .local, including saves and extracted edits. Keep the original disc available. Windows 10/11 x64; internet is needed for initial preparation and updates. No commercial game data, generated game C or prepared game executable is included.

Nitrogen Squared 0.2.1 - New Windows and Linux Launchers - BROKEN: PLEASE WAIT FOR 0.2.2

The launcher update broke game compilation. If you already ran the game on 0.1.3, you can update to 0.2.1, but new players should install 0.1.3 or wait for 0.2.2 to use the new launcher.

Extract the complete Nitrogen-Squared folder and run launcher.exe.
Select the supported USA CUE with its matching BIN beside it. Preparation verifies/imports/generates/compiles your private game; no separate Python or Visual Studio installation is required.

0.2.1: a GPL-3.0-or-later Tauri launcher adapted from Dittobyte/Recompia replaces the Tk interface. Home, What’s New and Settings adds original N² tunnel artwork, offline release notes and shared setup progress. Display and master-volume settings apply on the next launch. The verified 0.2.0 changes are included without a separate release: the launcher tracks compiled-game inputs separately from the public version. Prepare once when upgrading from 0.1.x. Later launcher/docs-only updates reuse the existing compatible game; changed runtime/native/build inputs require rebuilding. Existing saves, settings and custom keyboard profiles are preserved.

Development and player testing take place on dev. Only an explicitly owner-cleared candidate is promoted to main and published; dev builds are Actions artifacts, not GitHub releases. Source/runtime checks qualify the exact commit before packaging can be distributed.

Checksums: SHA256SUMS.txt covers both platform ZIPs. This release's launcher accepts combined and legacy checksums. Individual .sha256 sidecars stay through 0.1.x for older launchers; from 0.2.0 new releases contain only the two ZIPs and SHA256SUMS.txt. Older launchers that skip this bridge may need a manual launcher download, preserving .local. GitHub's automatic source archives replace the redundant uploaded source ZIP. Each release preserves its final source at release/x.y.z.

Linux x86_64 launcher: extract the Linux ZIP and run sh launcher.sh. Install the system Python, GTK/WebKitGTK, compiler and graphics/audio prerequisites listed in README-FIRST.txt once. The launcher selects your CUE/BIN, prepares your private game and handles updates. Windows continues to bundle portable Python and preparation tools; use separate folders for each platform.

Native coverage stays 38.4156% linked / 61.5844% outside. Focused n0201 checks cover launcher navigation, preferences, compatible 0.2.0 game reuse and preservation, and carries unfinished checks forward. Earlier submitted results retain their versions. No new campaign, upload or valued-save overwrite is requested. Audio/game clocks are unchanged; intermittent level-entry stutter remains open.

Asset folders remains optional: original containers, raw movie streams and ten PCM WAV tracks are preserved under .local/game. Runtime still uses the original USA disc. Folder-backed loading, mod packs and EU language import remain future work.

Updates preserve .local, including saves and extracted edits. Keep the original disc available. Windows 10/11 x64; internet is needed for initial preparation and updates. No commercial game data, generated game C or prepared game executable is included.

Nitrogen Squared 0.1.3 — Windows and Linux launchers

Extract the complete Nitrogen-Squared folder and run launcher.exe.
Select the supported USA CUE with its matching BIN beside it. Preparation verifies/imports/generates/compiles your private game; no separate Python or Visual Studio installation is required.

0.1.3: the compiled game's PC keyboard defaults now match the README. After updating, choose Prepare & play once to rebuild your private game. New and unchanged stock profiles use WASD, Enter, Right Shift, Backspace, E, P/O, Space and Minus/Equals as documented. S intentionally handles both menu Down and braking. Existing custom keyboard profiles and gamepad mappings remain unchanged; keyboard files are preserved during the stock-profile upgrade.

This patch changes compiled host input code, so the game must be rebuilt. Version-independent compilation reuse remains scheduled for 0.2.0. The shared-save repair from 0.1.2, title-screen two-second exit, Audio track-title and Tab repairs remain. Open the launcher once before using direct shortcuts so they receive the shared-save configuration repair; existing cards and configuration backups are preserved.

Checksums: SHA256SUMS.txt covers both platform ZIPs. This release's launcher accepts combined and legacy checksums. Individual .sha256 sidecars stay through 0.1.x for older launchers; from 0.2.0 new releases contain only the two ZIPs and SHA256SUMS.txt. Older launchers that skip this bridge may need a manual launcher download, preserving .local. GitHub's automatic source archives replace the redundant uploaded source ZIP. Each release preserves its final source at release/x.y.z.

Linux x86_64 launcher: extract the Linux ZIP and run sh launcher.sh. Install the system Python/Tk, compiler and graphics/audio prerequisites listed in README-FIRST.txt once. The launcher selects your CUE/BIN, prepares your private game and handles updates. Windows continues to bundle portable Python and preparation tools; use separate folders for each platform.

Native coverage stays 38.4156% linked / 61.5844% outside. Fresh Test Dashboard n0103 checks the rebuilt keyboard controls and carries unfinished save/menu checks, including optional Linux, forward. Earlier submitted results retain their versions. No new campaign, upload or valued-save overwrite is requested. Audio/game clocks are unchanged; intermittent level-entry stutter remains open.

Asset folders remains optional: original containers, raw movie streams and ten PCM WAV tracks are preserved under .local/game. Runtime still uses the original USA disc. Folder-backed loading, mod packs and EU language import remain future work.

Updates preserve .local, including saves and extracted edits. Keep the original disc available. Windows 10/11 x64; internet is needed for initial preparation and updates. No commercial game data, generated game C or prepared game executable is included.

Nitrogen Squared 0.1.2 — Windows and Linux launchers

Extract the complete Nitrogen-Squared folder and run launcher.exe.
Select the supported USA CUE with its matching BIN beside it. Preparation verifies/imports/generates/compiles your private game; no separate Python or Visual Studio installation is required.

0.1.2: fixes different save folders when starting the prepared game directly. Open the updated launcher once; it repairs the existing game configuration and stale memory-card path settings so direct EXE shortcuts use .local/saves too. The repair itself does not recompile the game. If both save folders already exist, the launcher's cards stay authoritative and runtime-dev/saves is preserved without merging or overwriting. Configuration backups are kept beside the repaired files.

This patch changes launcher/setup configuration, not compiled game logic. The existing 0.1.x Prepare & play version policy can still refresh a build; version-independent compilation reuse remains scheduled for 0.2.0. Title-screen two-second exit, Audio track-title and Tab repairs remain unchanged.

Checksums: SHA256SUMS.txt covers both platform ZIPs. This release's launcher accepts combined and legacy checksums. Individual .sha256 sidecars stay through 0.1.x for older launchers; from 0.2.0 new releases contain only the two ZIPs and SHA256SUMS.txt. Older launchers that skip this bridge may need a manual launcher download, preserving .local. GitHub's automatic source archives replace the redundant uploaded source ZIP. Each release preserves its final source at release/x.y.z.

Linux x86_64 launcher: extract the Linux ZIP and run sh launcher.sh. Install the system Python/Tk, compiler and graphics/audio prerequisites listed in README-FIRST.txt once. The launcher selects your CUE/BIN, prepares your private game and handles updates. Windows continues to bundle portable Python and preparation tools; use separate folders for each platform.

Native coverage stays 38.4156% linked / 61.5844% outside. Fresh Test Dashboard n0102 checks launcher configuration repair and shared saves between direct shortcuts and launcher play and carries unsubmitted menu checks, including optional Linux, unchanged. Earlier submitted results retain their versions. No new campaign, upload or valued-save overwrite is requested. Audio/game clocks are unchanged; intermittent level-entry stutter remains open.

Asset folders remains optional: original containers, raw movie streams and ten PCM WAV tracks are preserved under .local/game. Runtime still uses the original USA disc. Folder-backed loading, mod packs and EU language import remain future work.

Updates preserve .local, including saves and extracted edits. Keep the original disc available. Windows 10/11 x64; internet is needed for initial preparation and updates. No commercial game data, generated game C or prepared game executable is included.

Nitrogen Squared 0.1.1 — Windows and Linux launchers

Extract the complete Nitrogen-Squared folder and run launcher.exe.
Select the supported USA CUE with its matching BIN beside it. Preparation verifies/imports/generates/compiles your private game; no separate Python or Visual Studio installation is required.

0.1.1: hold Back on the title screen for two seconds to close. “closing...” fades in over the first second near the top third of the game area; release Back to cancel. Main-menu Back again returns to the title screen normally. The 0.1.0 Audio track-title and Tab repairs are retained.

Checksums: SHA256SUMS.txt covers both platform ZIPs. This release's launcher accepts combined and legacy checksums. Individual .sha256 sidecars stay through 0.1.x for older launchers; from 0.2.0 new releases contain only the two ZIPs and SHA256SUMS.txt. Older launchers that skip this bridge may need a manual launcher download, preserving .local. GitHub's automatic source archives replace the redundant uploaded source ZIP. Each release preserves its final source at release/x.y.z.

Linux x86_64 launcher: extract the Linux ZIP and run sh launcher.sh. Install the system Python/Tk, compiler and graphics/audio prerequisites listed in README-FIRST.txt once. The launcher selects your CUE/BIN, prepares your private game and handles updates. Windows continues to bundle portable Python and preparation tools; use separate folders for each platform.

Native coverage stays 38.4156% linked / 61.5844% outside. Fresh Test Dashboard n0101 checks title-screen hold/cancel, normal main-menu Back and the updater bridge and carries unsubmitted menu checks, including optional Linux, unchanged. Earlier submitted results retain their versions. No new campaign, upload or valued-save overwrite is requested. Audio/game clocks are unchanged; intermittent level-entry stutter remains open.

Asset folders remains optional: original containers, raw movie streams and ten PCM WAV tracks are preserved under .local/game. Runtime still uses the original USA disc. Folder-backed loading, mod packs and EU language import remain future work.

Updates preserve .local, including saves and extracted edits. Keep the original disc available. Windows 10/11 x64; internet is needed for initial preparation and updates. No commercial game data, generated game C or prepared game executable is included.

Nitrogen Squared 0.1.0 — Windows and Linux launchers

Extract the complete Nitrogen-Squared folder and run launcher.exe.
Select the supported USA CUE with its matching BIN beside it. Preparation verifies/imports/generates/compiles your private game; no separate Python or Visual Studio installation is required.

0.1.0: hold Back on the main menu for three seconds to close. “closing...” fades in over the first second near the top third of the game area; release Back to cancel. Holding Tab no longer speeds up the game. Complete two-line Audio track titles, including remix names, stay together. Prior title/help/Controls and slider repairs are retained. Each release now preserves its final source at release/x.y.z; retired merged work branches are removed.

Linux x86_64 launcher: extract the Linux ZIP and run sh launcher.sh. Install the system Python/Tk, compiler and graphics/audio prerequisites listed in README-FIRST.txt once. The launcher selects your CUE/BIN, prepares your private game and handles updates. Windows continues to bundle portable Python and preparation tools; use separate folders for each platform.

Native coverage stays 38.4156% linked / 61.5844% outside. Fresh Test Dashboard n0100 adds hold-to-close, Tab and complete track-title checks and carries unsubmitted menu checks, including optional Linux, unchanged. Earlier submitted results retain their versions. No new campaign, upload or valued-save overwrite is requested. Audio/game clocks are unchanged; intermittent level-entry stutter remains open.

Asset folders remains optional: original containers, raw movie streams and ten PCM WAV tracks are preserved under .local/game. Runtime still uses the original USA disc. Folder-backed loading, mod packs and EU language import remain future work.

Updates preserve .local, including saves and extracted edits. Keep the original disc available. Windows 10/11 x64; internet is needed for initial preparation and updates. No commercial game data, generated game C or prepared game executable is included.

Checksum transition: SHA256SUMS.txt covers both platform ZIPs. The individual .sha256 files remain for older launchers during migration through 0.1.x; the 0.1.1 launcher reads either format. From 0.2.0, new releases use only the platform ZIPs and SHA256SUMS.txt. GitHub's automatic source archives replace the redundant uploaded source ZIP. The published platform ZIPs and version tag are unchanged.

Nitrogen Squared 0.0.31 — Windows and Linux launchers

Extract the complete Nitrogen-Squared folder and run launcher.exe.
Select the supported USA CUE with its matching BIN beside it. Preparation verifies/imports/generates/compiles your private game; no separate Python or Visual Studio installation is required.

Title-preview repair: the title's textured 3D preview frame retains its original projection, fixing the nested frames and black gaps introduced in 0.0.30. Help cards identify their bevels and exact direction-arrow cells separately. Master stays above SFX; Play in order's song title stays text only. The aligned slider fills, Controls model/callouts and existing Video settings are retained.

Linux x86_64 launcher: extract the Linux ZIP and run sh launcher.sh. Install the system Python/Tk, compiler and graphics/audio prerequisites listed in README-FIRST.txt once. The launcher selects your CUE/BIN, prepares your private game and handles updates. Windows continues to bundle portable Python and preparation tools; use separate folders for each platform.

Native coverage stays 38.4156% linked / 61.5844% outside. Fresh Test Dashboard n0031 adds a title/attract preview check and carries unsubmitted n0030 menu checks, including optional Linux, unchanged. Earlier submitted results retain their versions. No new campaign, upload or valued-save overwrite is requested. Audio/game clocks are unchanged; intermittent level-entry stutter remains open.

Asset folders remains optional: original containers, raw movie streams and ten PCM WAV tracks are preserved under .local/game. Runtime still uses the original USA disc. Folder-backed loading, mod packs and EU language import remain future work.

Updates preserve .local, including saves and extracted edits. Keep the original disc available. Windows 10/11 x64; internet is needed for initial preparation and updates. No commercial game data, generated game C or prepared game executable is included.

Nitrogen Squared 0.0.30 — Windows and Linux launchers

Extract the complete Nitrogen-Squared folder and run launcher.exe.
Select the supported USA CUE with its matching BIN beside it. Preparation verifies/imports/generates/compiles your private game; no separate Python or Visual Studio installation is required.

Menu repairs: Master volume sits immediately above SFX. All volume and scene-resolution bars use aligned luminous fills. Play in order's song title stays text only, including when selected. Complete help cards retain their text, icons, fill and bevels together. Video uses left/right arrow icons. Controls keeps its model, label backings and outlines aligned across window shapes and both configurations. Existing Video modes, AUTO/2X/3X/4X/6X HUD scaling and 25–200 percent scene resolution remain available; preferences persist under .local.

Linux x86_64 launcher: extract the Linux ZIP and run sh launcher.sh. Install the system Python/Tk, compiler and graphics/audio prerequisites listed in README-FIRST.txt once. The launcher selects your CUE/BIN, prepares your private game and handles updates. Windows continues to bundle portable Python and preparation tools; use separate folders for each platform.

Native coverage stays 38.4156% linked / 61.5844% outside. Fresh Test Dashboard n0030 checks cover updating, help cards, Audio layout/fills, Video slider/icons, Controls alignment and the carried optional Linux setup/play/update check. Earlier submitted results retain their versions. No new campaign, upload or valued-save overwrite is requested. Audio/game clocks are unchanged; intermittent level-entry stutter remains open.

Asset folders remains optional: original containers, raw movie streams and ten PCM WAV tracks are preserved under .local/game. Runtime still uses the original USA disc. Folder-backed loading, mod packs and EU language import remain future work.

Updates preserve .local, including saves and extracted edits. Keep the original disc available. Windows 10/11 x64; internet is needed for initial preparation and updates. No commercial game data, generated game C or prepared game executable is included.

Nitrogen Squared 0.0.29 — Windows and Linux launchers

Extract the complete Nitrogen-Squared folder and run launcher.exe.
Select the supported USA CUE with its matching BIN beside it. Preparation verifies/imports/generates/compiles your private game; no separate Python or Visual Studio installation is required.

In-game options: Game Options now offers Video, Audio, Controls and Extras. Video replaces Center screen, with display offsets locked to zero. Desktop video modes are Windowed, Borderless fullscreen and Fullscreen. HUD scale defaults to AUTO, with 2X/3X/4X/6X choices and the existing 2X minimum. A 25–200 percent scene-resolution slider changes the world raster independently of sharp UI. Audio adds Master volume; the duplicate F1 volume control is removed. Preferences persist under .local across restarts and private rebuilds.

Linux x86_64 launcher: extract the Linux ZIP and run sh launcher.sh. Install the system Python/Tk, compiler and graphics/audio prerequisites listed in README-FIRST.txt once. The launcher selects your CUE/BIN, prepares your private game and handles updates. Windows continues to bundle portable Python and preparation tools; use separate folders for each platform.

Native coverage stays 38.4156% linked / 61.5844% outside. Fresh Test Dashboard n0029 checks cover updating, Video modes, HUD scale/scene resolution, Master volume, brief gameplay and the carried optional Linux setup/play/update check. Earlier submitted results retain their versions. No new campaign, upload or valued-save overwrite is requested. Audio/game clocks are unchanged; the earlier level-entry hitch still needs explicit Windows feedback.

Asset folders remains optional: original containers, raw movie streams and ten PCM WAV tracks are preserved under .local/game. Runtime still uses the original USA disc. Folder-backed loading, mod packs and EU language import remain future work.

Updates preserve .local, including saves and extracted edits. Keep the original disc available. Windows 10/11 x64; internet is needed for initial preparation and updates. No commercial game data, generated game C or prepared game executable is included.

Nitrogen Squared 0.0.28 — Windows and Linux launchers

Extract the complete Nitrogen-Squared folder and run launcher.exe.
Select the supported USA CUE with its matching BIN beside it. Preparation verifies/imports/generates/compiles your private game; no separate Python or Visual Studio installation is required.

Bonus HUD repairs: keeps the full bonus-star row beside the score, including stars after the sixth, and anchors the bonus speed readout and its backing with the bottom-left HUD. The other reported UI fixes retain their tested behavior. Square pixels, a 2x minimum and the 365x240 UI reference remain unchanged.

Linux x86_64 launcher: extract the Linux ZIP and run sh launcher.sh. Install the system Python/Tk, compiler and graphics/audio prerequisites listed in README-FIRST.txt once. The launcher selects your CUE/BIN, prepares your private game and handles updates. Windows continues to bundle portable Python and preparation tools; use separate folders for each platform.

Native coverage stays 38.4156% linked / 61.5844% outside. Fresh Test Dashboard n0028 checks cover updating, the full bonus-star row, bonus speed display and optional Linux setup/play/update. Earlier submitted results retain their versions. No new campaign, upload or valued-save overwrite is requested. Audio/game clocks are unchanged; the earlier level-entry hitch still needs explicit Windows feedback.

Asset folders remains optional: original containers, raw movie streams and ten PCM WAV tracks are preserved under .local/game. Runtime still uses the original USA disc. Folder-backed loading, mod packs and EU language import remain future work.

Updates preserve .local, including saves and extracted edits. Keep the original disc available. Windows 10/11 x64; internet is needed for initial preparation and updates. No commercial game data, generated game C or prepared game executable is included.